NORMAN, Okla. - The 11th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team (4-0) is set to host the first installment of Bedlam this Tuesday, Dec. 1, when it hosts third-ranked Oklahoma State (1-0) at 7 p.m. inside the Howard McCasland Field House.

The Sooners are coming off of two dual wins last Saturday at the Oklahoma Open. The Sooners improved their record by cruising past Oklahoma City (30-16) and North Carolina State (26-15).

"It's Bedlam," Spates said. "We want to follow in the footsteps of our football team and get a victory. Our team wants to encourage all Sooner fans to come out and support us and root us on to victory."

The Sooners and Cowboys have split the last four meetings, with each squad winning on its home mat.

The match will air to the state of Oklahoma on Cox Television with Toby Rowland calling (Cox channel 7 in OKC, channel 3 in Tulsa). Woodward (KOMI), Enid (KXOK), Lawton (KSWO) and Ponca City (KTEW) are also scheduled to pick up the in-state rivalry match.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are still available for purchase. Prices are $15 for reserved seating, $10 for general admission and $5 for pre-arranged group tickets. Fans can purchase online or call the OU Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free (800) 456-GoOU.

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS

The match versus the Sooners will mark just the second dual of the season for the Cowboys, as the squad from Stillwater is 1-0 on the season after defeating Arizona State, 21-9, on Nov. 20. OSU also crowned seven champions at the 2009 Central Missouri Open on Nov. 15, including six making the start against Oklahoma.

The Cowboys, who is the nation's leader in NCAA championships with 34, is led by head coach John Smith (OSU, 1988). The OSU alum is 282-42-4 now in his 19th year in Stillwater. He is assisted by Eric Guerrero and Tyrone Lewis.

Last season, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State tied for a fourth place finish in the Big 12 regular season with 1-4 records. After splitting regular season matches against the Sooners, OSU finished fourth at the Big 12 Championships and 16th at the NCAAs.

Probable Sooner Starters (Weight)

Hometown (Year)

Record

Justin Forrest (125)

Peculiar, Mo. (RFr.)

7-6

Alex Ekstrom (133)

Palmyra, N.Y. (Fr.)

4-5

Zack Bailey (141)

Kansas City, Mo. (Jr.)

4-2

Kyle Terry (149)

Midwest City, Okla. (Sr.)

6-1

Shane Vernon (157)

Broken Arrow, Okla. (Sr.)

6-0

Derek Peperas (165)

Santa Fe, N.M. (RSo.)

14-3

Jeff James (174)

El Reno, Okla. (Jr.)

8-0

Erich Schmidtke (184)

Aberdeen, Wash. (RFr.)

9-3

Eric Lapotsky (197)

Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Sr.)

8-0

Nathan Fernandez (HWT)

Lawton, Okla. (Jr.)

11-2

SOONER NOTES

LAST TIME OUTThe University of Oklahoma wrestling team posted two victories at the Oklahoma Open last weekend, besting Oklahoma City (30-16) and North Carolina State (26-15).

Lapotsky was again impressive, earning his sixth pin of the season in eight victories (8-0). James also kept his undefeated season alive, now 8-0 heading into Bedlam.

Schmidtke also dominated by recording a 19-4 technical fall over OCU's Jake Mabry and a pin against Jonathan Becker of the Wolfpack (6:37).

Also recording victories were Alex Ekstrom at 141 pounds and 165-pounders Derek Peperas and No. 17 Tyler Caldwell. Chad Terry and Shane Vernon split the matches at 157 pounds for OU and each claimed wins. With the victory, Vernon also remains unbeaten on the season (6-0).

UNDEFEATED SOONERSThree Sooners - Shane Vernon (6-0), Jeff James (8-0) and Eric Lapotsky (8-0) - boast undefeated records heading into Bedlam. Each picked up wins last Saturday at the Oklahoma Open and look to keep the streaks alive on Tuesday.

TELEVISION EXPOSUREThe Sooners and Cowboys' match Tuesday will be featured to the state of Oklahoma by Cox channel 7 in OKC, channel 3 in Tulsa and picked up in the cities of Woodward (KOMI), Enid (KXOK), Lawton (KSWO) and Ponca City (KTEW).

SPATES, SOONERS TOUGH AT HOMESooner head coach Jack Spates' career mark at home stands at 87-26-2 (.765) now in his 17th season in Norman, including a 3-0 record this season. OU has topped Oklahoma State the last two seasons the Cowboys have ventured into Howard McCasland Field House.

LAST SEASON VS. OKLAHOMA STATEThe in-state rivals split last year's matches, with Oklahoma winning in Norman on Dec. 7 by an 18-15 final and the Cowboys defeating OU 27-5 on Feb. 22 in Stillwater.

Oklahoma is 2-2 against the Cowboys in the last two seasons, but trails in the overall series, 26-125-9. The last time Oklahoma took three victories from the Cowboys in a five match span was 1979-1981.

ANOTHER TOP CLASS HEADED TO NORMANOklahoma wrestling coach Jack Spates recently signed nine high school seniors to National Letters of Intent, including four ranked in the top 12 nationally in their respective weight classes by Intermat and five from the state of Oklahoma.

Leading ranked recruits is Kyle Colling from Yorkshire, N.Y., ranked No. 4 nationally among 215 pounders. Colling's accomplishments include a New York state title and champion at High School Nationals.

Jenks, Okla., product Justin Deangelis, a two-time state champion and Junior National All-American, is seventh in the 145 pound division and Stilwell, Kan., native Parker Madl is 11th at 171 pounds. Madl is a Kansas state champion and a Junior National All-American.

Ronnie Balfour, an Oklahoma state champion and Junior National All-American, from Tulsa, Okla., rounds out the group ranked No. 12 among 160 pounders.

Other Oklahomans joining the roster next season are Dustin Reed from Choctaw, Pawhuska native Dax Perrier and Quincy Mondaine from Muskogee. All three have earned runner-up finishes at the Oklahoma state championships.

The class is completed with the signings of Sean Datte from Las Flores, Calif., and Chase Gordon of Oveido, Fla. Gordon joins the Sooners as a Florida state champion and Junior Nationals runner-up.

2010 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NORMAN, TICKETS NOW AVAILABLEAll-session tickets are now available for the 2010 Big 12 Wrestling Championships. Fans can purchase tickets online or by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free at (800) 456-GoOU.

All-Session Prices

Lower Reserved

$25

Upper Reserved

$15

2 & Under (Must Sit on Lap)

Free

Single-Session Prices

Lower Reserved

$15

Upper Reserved

$10

2 & Under (Must Sit on Lap)

Free

There are a total of two sessions for this event. Both sessions are on March 6, 2010. Times will be announced as they become available.

An all-session ticket consists of a ticket for both sessions. Single-session tickets will be made available at the event on the first day of competition and are based on availability. All seats are reserved.

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